Spokane firefighters agree to concessions

Spokane firefighters have voted to give up their pay raises next year. Membership of Local 29 of the International Association of Fire Fighters voted last week on concession agreement with the city that also promises to pick up any increased costs of employee medical benefits above 4 percent in 2011. In exchange, the city agreed to shift $384,000 that would have been spent to fill six vacant firefighter jobs to the department’s overtime budget, allowing firefighters to pick up extra shifts. The city also agreed to a give Local 29 a 3 percent pay raise in 2012. From 2000 through this year, Local 29 received raises greater than 3 percent all but three years. Only once in that period was it less than 3 percent. Firefighters are the only city union so far to reach a deal with administrators to prevent layoffs.